How is the tone of the poem best characterized?

The tone of the poem is best characterized as bleak and somber due to the themes and imagery present throughout the work. This tone often arises when a poem delves into profound or unsettling subjects, such as loss, despair, or a sense of hopelessness. The choice of language, along with the depiction of dark or foreboding settings, can evoke feelings of sadness and a heavy atmosphere.

In contrast, other tones suggested in the choices don't align with the overarching mood of the poem. Playful seriousness would imply a mix of lightness and heavy subject matter, which might not fit if the poem maintains a consistently dark tone. Joyful and lighthearted suggest themes of happiness and positivity, likely from imagery or diction that would feel out of place in a somber work. Lastly, while detached and cynical might capture some emotional distance, it lacks the depth of sorrow conveyed by a bleak and somber tone. Thus, the most accurate characterization of the poem’s tone is indeed bleak and somber.